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The Ballad of MulanThe sound of weaving, woman's chore--The Ballad of Mulan2 years ago in Haiku & Eastern More Like This
Mulan weaves on before the door.
But now the shuttle's noise is drowned
By Daughter Mulan's sighing sound.
"Who, my girl, is in your thought?
What memory has your mind caught?"
"No one is in Mulan's thought,
No memory has Mulan caught.
The night before, I saw the post
The Khan sent out to build his host.
In scrolls of twelve did they proclaim
The characters of Father's name.
But Father has no eldest son,
And Brother's not the eldest one.
So I shall buy a saddled horse
To take his place among the force."
Now to the East for valiant steed!
Now to the West for saddle's need!
Now to the South to take the
The Love of OneWhat were the dying thoughts of falling firstThe Love of One2 years ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
From branches to a steaming, boiling hell?
As lifeblood ebbed in bitter streams, what thirst
Could justify that gruesome deathly knell?
What color was that leaf before it died?
The fresh young green of fruitful, peaceful springs?
Or like the cauldron gleaming, open wide,
That bronzed complexion only autumn brings?
What love was this, that one death led to bliss?
Protect Your HeartAbove all else, protect your heart:Protect Your Heart2 years ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
For from it flows the springs of life.
Where human nature draws its start,
Above all else, protect your heart.
Where human nature draws its start
Grows everlasting peace or strife.
Above all else, protect your heart:
For from it flows the springs of life.
Be StillPsalm 89:9Be Still1 year ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
He stood before a formless void,
The waters of the deep.
And as they crashed beneath his feet
He said, "Be still!" And overjoyed
The shapeless world gave heed.
He stood before a world of sin,
Of holiness ignored.
For forty days his waters poured,
But grieved, He cried, "Be still!" Therein
The earth knew He was Lord.
He stood waist deep before the crowd
And leaned back with the flow.
Deep down beneath the watery shroud
He mouthed, "Be still!" So time went slow
As heaven went aglow.
He stood before the creaking bow,
Beaten by the rain,
With spirit calm, disciples faint.
He said, "Be still!" The waves kowtowed
To H
Inspiration by NightThere is a time at night I knowInspiration by Night2 years ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
When quiet reigns upon the earth,
Where fertile thoughts take root and grow.
This is the time of dark rebirth,
A phoenix born without the flame
When quiet reigns upon the earth.
I cast away that sunlit name
As dusk dies down to darkness deep,
A phoenix born without the flame.
And there among the beasts that creep,
I join the odd menagerie
As dusk dies down to darkness deep.
I am this world, I am the sea,
The ground and sky, in everything
I join the odd menagerie
No other mortal eye has seen.
There is a time at night I know
The ground and sky in everything,
Where fertile thoughts take root and
The Weak to Shame the StrongWhere is the thinker of this age?The Weak to Shame the Strong2 years ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
The great philosopher?
Where is your wisdom now, O sage?
What hope can it assure?
Now speak, O image, iron wrought,
O idol, carved from wood!
You tarnish and dissolve to rot
As manmade objects would.
And would all mysteries be solved
If logic made all known?
The one word--why--would be unsolved:
Life's meaning still unknown.
Your works of good weigh not on scales,
This is no balance beam.
Your heart, not fully pure, still fails
The moral law supreme.
The strength of heroes of renown
Has rotted into bones.
Those clever minds that once bore crowns
Are cold and dead as stones.
But Him who liv
Nations' CallO Christian, hear the nations' call--Nations' Call1 year ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
The beckoners you do not know--
And share of Him who died for all.
Like Macedonia to Paul,
That vision of the urgent glow,
O Christian, hear the nations' call!
Of broken lives and alcohol:
Now heal these tales of sin and woe
And share of Him who died for all.
Though many trials may befall,
Your pride and comfort brought down low,
O Christian, hear the nations' call!
But trust in God, in faith stand tall,
And with your roots in Christ, you'll grow
And share of Him who died for all.
For from the seeds you plant, so small,
Comes life and death, and fruit to grow.
O Christian, hear the nation
QuestionsOne night I dreamt I died while still asleep,Questions2 years ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
And Jesus, faithful, came my soul to keep.
And though He was my Lord, who died for me,
The way he held my hand was brotherly.
And like a little boy with questions burning,
I asked the one who kept the whole world turning:
"Jesus, could you ever show
How wide is love? I want to know!"
He smiled at me, but not a word he said,
He lead me to a bloody cross instead.
And standing there, he stretched his arms thus far:
That bloody cross's horizontal bar.
But like a boy with still more questions burning,
I asked the one whose mind was more discerning:
"Jesus, could you ever show
How long is
MMourn no longer, daughters dear,M2 months ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
Misty eyes, shed no more tears.
"Messiah, Christ has won the day!"
My joyous heart shall ever say.
Mountains standing high and tall
Melt beneath your love, enthralled.
Majesty, burst from the grave,
Make not your home inside the cave!
OrpheusDarkness encompassed me; high-vaulting fireOrpheus2 years ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
Leapt and burnt the vision from my gaze
But though I could not see, I strummed my lyre
Until the music swept away the haze
And I could stumble onwards through the mire.
Now I strum no more. What use are lays?
Save to remind me of my lost desire
That I betrayed--let silence fill my days!
For I, whose song once moved the gods to weep
No longer can make melodies from woe--
No dissonance expresses pain so deep
And no music can be as beautiful
As that which I have lost. Let others come
And fill the void with noise--I will not strum.
Ransom for ManyThough sorrows pierce this mortal frameRansom for Many8 months ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
And pains and aches assail this flesh,
When griefs appear with none to blame
And every scar seems raw and fresh,
In times like these I gladly trade
These burdens, laying down my life,
That I may never be afraid
To stand up under crushing strife.
Yes, I am drained with little left
But bloody pulp and tired dregs,
Still, pouring out will I accept,
To earn my joy and not to beg.
In suffering, this I believe:
'Tis better to give than to receive.
Give Me JesusWhen all is peaceful in my soulGive Me Jesus2 years ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
And all my heart feels pure and whole
And when I finally reach my goal,
Give me Jesus Christ, the wonderful.
When all I do is run in place,
When all around is empty space,
When I am all the cruel world hates,
Give me Jesus Christ, so full of grace.
When I at last have come to die,
To finish with a weakened cry,
And let my soul take wing and fly,
Give me Jesus Christ, who rules the sky.
ConsumedThe caress of Love's gazeConsumed2 years ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
fell on me with beauty.
Overwhelmed I look away.
And Your warm welcome hands
consume me with passion.
My heart struggles to stay.
I'm overwhelmed by Your love.
It consumes me and You.
Slowly You break my defenses.
And with each loving touch
Your love seeps through.
Consuming my heart and my senses.
Unhesitant, You give Your heart.
You give me all of You.
In this place I lose myself.
I can't say no to You.
All You Who ThirstAll you who thirst, I hear you cry:All You Who Thirst2 years ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
My water shall refresh the dry.
I am the Lord your God above
Who fills the empty with His love.
All you discouraged, do not cry:
Anointment oil will I supply.
I am the Lord your God above
Who fills the empty with His love.
All you who harvest, know your cry
Shall draw the rain out from the sky.
I am the Lord your God above
Who fills the empty with His love.
All you who sinned, now hear my cry:
"It is over, now I die!"
I am the Lord your God above
Who fills the empty with His love.
All you who follow, do not cry
When all you have you must deny.
I am the Lord your God above
Who fills the em
My heart belongs to GodMy heart belongs to GodMy heart belongs to God2 months ago in Free Verse More Like This
In him I have my joy
He is my heavenly father
My comforter and my saviour
The creator of heaven and earth
The Lord takes my worries upon Him
He scratches out all my sins
Small and big
He chases my pain away
And brings me countless blessings
My great Father in heaven
Lifts me up when I am feeling low
He finds me when I have gotten lost
Patiently brings me back if I have run away
And always takes me safely home
Our Lord Sebaot
Is the one who granted me life
He answeres prayers kind
Sees my moves around and my choices made
He hears my every word and thought
God of Israel and of us all
Is always faithfully by my s
Being a ChristianMany people think that they are Christians because they belong to a congregation.Being a Christian2 years ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
Others think its because they come from a Christian background.
Others think its because they were born in a certain country.
Or because they believe in God and do good works.
It's not like that at all.
Being a Christian isn't belonging to a congregation.
It isn't walking down an aisle or being baptized.
It isn't just saying "I believe in God."
It isn't even following the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule.
Being a Christian means believing that Jesus Christ is who He said He is;
The Son of God and the only way to heaven.
It means making a total co
Bring Me BackWho am I that cries to God,Bring Me Back3 months ago in Free Verse More Like This
Who am I to come to You,
That You should pour Your Spirit out on me,
Who am I to ask of You,
In my flesh I weep and scream,
In my pride I demand,
In my doubt I beg of You,
As if You begrudgingly give,
So God I ask for Your Spirit,
And I know I don't deserve,
A single glance from You,
No, not even one word,
And yet You gave Your life for me,
You are Holy, You are good,
Even when I had to convince myself,
I know You understood,
You brought hardship to my life,
And You understand my pain,
This meekness I feel is not a sin,
You made me feel this way,
I know You want me to pursue You,
My flesh is selfish; my Spirit scar
It Was DoneHe breathed His last in pain, and it was done:It Was Done2 years ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
His blood poured down in loving sacrifice.
Truly this man was the Christ, God's son!
His senses He would not consent to stun
With wine that had been laced with gall and spice:
He breathed His last in pain, and it was done.
There was no pain He did not know, not one:
The lash, the mocking word, denial thrice.
Truly this man was the Christ, God's son!
The darkness now in sorrow veiled the sun,
The earth shook as it offered all its vice.
He breathed His last in pain, and it was done.
Thus said the gory, awed centurion
Who placed Him on Rome's cruelest death device:
"Truly this man was
Marvelous Light2 Corinthians 11:14Marvelous Light2 years ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
It was the hour when darkness reigned
Along this beaten, winding road.
My legs were tired, my robes were stained
With dust and grime. And far off glowed
Within the dark foreboding wood
Small lights. My plodding pace I slowed
To gaze at what I thought was good.
So mesmerizing were those lights
That I would catch them if I could.
They sparkled, hovered in the heights
Or flew low right within my grasp.
But tired out from sleepless nights
My breath came only as a rasp:
They nimbly fled my unsure hand,
Twirling, tumbling from my grasp.
No matter how well I had planned,
They always managed to escape.
I wept. I
FSC IV: ObjectivityToo often have I let my loving heartFSC IV: Objectivity4 months ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
And sentiment confuse my watchful gaze.
Affections unattended I let blaze
Have in their heat removed us far apart.
For my own love was foremost in my mind--
The dream, the image dear to which I clung--
And not the inner pain you left unsung
Which lay beneath the face I saw as kind.
They broke your heart, and then caused mine to break,
To see your sight obscured as mine was too.
Facades I once beheld, but now my view is true
When I am powerless for your sweet sake.
That I could love and see both light and sin,
As God, who gives out grace and discipline.
The DesertI am the Sonneteer who treads these landsThe Desert1 year ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
With nothing but a honed iambic blade.
And time again I've braved the shifting sands
Of deserts strewn with prosody decayed.
Now hear me, streams of meter, pools of rhyme,
Sustain a warrior with a burning thirst
To drink of waters clear of all the grime
Of "free verse" at its very worst.
For if the lines aren't free to leave my tongue,
They'll never find their freedom if they're flung.
Easter SunriseThough dusky clouds obscure the rising sun,Easter Sunrise1 month ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
Their darkened billows smothering the sky,
The spell of night shall always come undone
By penetrating light that flows from high.
Emotions as the sunrise fills my eyes,
As dusk gives way to dawn I realize:
I do not love that which I loved before,
Or rather now it seems to be quite small
Compared to him who loved us so much more,
His life for ours, his sacrifice for all.
He lay interred, and mourners came to weep,
But stones and guards could not his body keep.
Though circumstances plunged him to the deep,
He pulled our spirits from their mortal sleep.
Sharing Communion Amongst Creation -DFC Day 30I.Sharing Communion Amongst Creation -DFC Day 305 months ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
The sun stretches her caressing hands.
Balancing on the horizon, it seems.
Last rays of day scatter across the lands.
As through a glacier, the light gleams
Over meadows and memories past,
Dripping off cardinal's wings into azure streams.
Galloping alongside stallions unsurpassed,
Golden beams falling with prancing leaves
And slipping into cracks of canyons vast.
Shadow wraps around illumination like sleeves.
Billows as smoldering incense in sacred art.
The day has left, has hastened like ghosts and thieves.
Shade stands resolute and rampart.
Rapt with the veiled, vanquished moon.
Hidden in devious clouds, the waves devoid o
Though I Die, I LiveI was dead...Though I Die, I Live2 months ago in Traditional Fixed Forms More Like This
When finally the time has come
For me to lay my life,
I will not beg another day
To live before I die.
If in my sleep, before I wake,
My eyes stay in the dark,
I'll rest in peace, for on this world
I've made my little mark.
And if in violence to protect
The ones I dearly love,
I did not die by my own strength,
But power from above.
Whatever fate that I may face,
I pray for bravery
To stand firm in the promises
The savior gave to me.
...and behold...
My family will miss me so,
And for a little while,
I'll miss them while they stay on earth,
Before we're reconciled.
The girl I love, the greatest gift
My Father gave to me,
I
Sta.sh
